A 3-9 record in 2010 and a lack of recent success didn't seem to affect Colorado State too much in recruiting.

"We are recruiting the way that we need to in order to get this program back where it needs to be. You just don't let it become a negative," coach Steve Fairchild said. "The more that I do this, the more that I realize that it's not about hiding anything; it's really about relationships with the kids."

The incoming class is important for the Rams, to build around some talented young players already in the program -- notably quarterback Pete Thomas, who started as a true freshman. The most surprising aspect of the class might have been that 10 of the 27 signees came from Texas. Only five of the signees were from Colorado.

Colorado State had never signed that many players from the Lone Star State.

"We covered every inch of that state," Fairchild said. "We were as far south as Del Rio, which is on the U.S.-Mexico border. We were as far north as Wichita Falls, Iowa Park, which might as well be in Oklahoma, and we were all the way out in West Texas as well."

Colorado will obviously always be very important for the Rams to recruit, and of the five in-state signees, three are among the highest-rated recruits in the state: running back Dorian Brown, defensive lineman Joe Kawulok and offensive lineman/defensive lineman Justin Hansen.

"If we feel that there are enough kids in the state that we feel we want to offer, then we will do it," Fairchild said. "It just happened to be good this year."

TOP OF THE CLASS

RB Kapri Bibbs (Plainfield North, Plainfield, Ill.) -- Bibbs was named offensive player of the year in Chicago by ESPNChicago.com. The Rams have loaded up at tailback the past couple years, but there's no reason Bibbs can't make an impact right away. "He kind of reminds me, body type and the way he moves, a little bit like Marshall Faulk," coach Steve Fairchild said. "He has that kind of suddenness."

RB Dorian Brown (Thompson Valley, Loveland, Colo.) -- Considered one of the top prospects in Colorado, Brown missed his senior season with a torn ACL. He injured the knee before last season started, and he should be healthy before this season starts, although the coaches could decide to redshirt him if he's less than 100 percent.

DE Colton Paulhus (American River College, Sacramento, Calif.) -- The Rams need pass-rush help, and Paulhus will provide it right away. He had 7.5 sacks last year in junior college. He is a high-energy player who should step in right away for graduated Guy Miller on the line.

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